By Abby-Lee Moroney, University of Bath, UK
Astrocytes are non-neuronal brain cells that regulate physiological functions. Recently, they were shown to be implicated in the regulation of complex emotional responses, for example, stress. Stress is the main risk factor for depression. Depression is proposed to be related to low brain levels of serotonin, which is mainly synthesized in the area of the brain called the raphe nuclei (RN). However, a number of studies revealed that there are other astrocyte-driven mechanisms that contribute to the aetiology of depression.
My research during the summer studentship aimed to assess the effect of serotonin depletion on astrocyte shape (or morphology as it’s often called in science) and number. We used a mouse model genetically engineered to lack Tph2 gene, which controls serotonin production specifically in the brain. The results of this study revealed that astrocytes in the RN were affected by serotonin depletion – astrocyte in mice with serotonin ablation showed increased complexity compared to astrocytes in mice with healthy (control) serotonin levels.
Despite coronavirus, I was able to begin my work in August which gave me just enough time to analyze the data for my report. It was a fantastic way to practice my written communication skills, especially when learning how to condense my findings into a digestible abstract.
I contacted my potential supervisor in December 2019 after looking through some of Valentina Mosienko’s research and found it very interesting. In February 2020 we met in Exeter in person and discussed a project I could get involved in.
I knew I wanted to do something neurology-based, and this summer placement gave me a unique chance to explore novel central mechanisms that contribute to regulating physiological functions.
Since starting in August, I received excellent support from the supervisor – we regularly met online and in person. We tend to have a once-a-week meeting online to discuss my progress and I would go to the lab 2-3 times a weeks to perform experiments.
When I started first working from home due to the pandemic, this gave me time to navigate the software used to analyze confocal images. Dr Mosienko gave me a lot of independence with this work: I was provided a set of instructions which allowed me to work by myself, at my own pace. This worked out very well as I’m now very competent at this part of the work.
I thought that I would struggle to fit in with other well-educated researchers as I am only an undergraduate. Because of this, I thought that I wouldn’t understand how to use most of the equipment in the laboratory and on the computers, and that I wouldn’t be able to keep up with the workload. However, my supervisor gave me so much support settling into my new role and I felt very confident by the end of the studentship. I’ve received training on how to navigate the labs and, although learning the analysis software was initially difficult, I ended up really enjoying the project.
This studentship has confirmed my choice to specify in the central nervous system module of my degree next year. It has also opened my eyes to the immense wealth of knowledge immunohistochemistry can provide, and therefore I will be considering any modules containing this type of research. I intend to graduate with an MSc in Pharmacology, and then apply for a PhD in Neuropsychopharmacology.
Abby-Lee Moroney did her Physiological Society summer studentship under supervision of Dr. Valentina Mosienko, @Dr_VMosienko. Read more about The Society’s Undergraduate Summer Studentship Scheme which is open for applications and will close 28 February 2021.
Please note that all views expressed on The Physiological Society’s blog reflect those of the author(s) and not of The Society.